| Crossosomataceae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Crossosoma californicum | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Crossosomatales |
| Family: | Crossosomataceae Engl.[1] |
| Genera | |
Crossosomataceae is a smallplant family, consisting of fourgenera ofshrubs found only in the dry parts of theAmerican southwest andMexico. This family has included up to ten species in the past,[2] although as of 2021 six species are still recognised.[3][4][5][6]Crossosoma areshrub-like plants which can vary from being 50 cm to 5 meters tall, with small alternating leaves that surround the stem, or leaves clustered in small spurts (fascicles).[7]Apacheria, however, has opposite leaves.[3]Crossosoma has usually white flowers that are generally bisexual and have 5 petals attached to a nectary disk,[7] but inVelascoa the flowers are campanulate and have an extremely reduced nectary disk.[3]
